This is a story that hardly needs to mention football. Tanner Ripley's off-the-field activities are highlight-worthy by themselves.

He is the leader in volunteer hours for all Montana State University athletes, spending chunks of time reading to elementary school students, serving as a Big Brother, leading Bible studies and traveling abroad - twice - to coach youngsters.

There's more.

If it wasn't clear that Ripley was meant to be a mentor, consider this: after a stint in an off-campus apartment, he moved back into the dorms at MSU. As an upperclassman. As if all those hours spent with children weren't enough, the role modeling continues - this time for his peers - at North Hedges dormitory.

"I push it too far sometimes," Ripley admits, "but to be honest with you, my desire to do that comes from the love of the Lord."

Faith - another huge part of his life. And then there's football.

Ripley was a star in tiny Highwood, where he grew up on a cattle ranch, and later set high school records for season and career tackles while winning three state championships. He came to MSU having never played the 11-man game and wasn't part of the Bobcats' 90-man roster upon his arrival in the fall of 2006. Recruiting letters? There were none. Not even from Division III schools.He looked more at home wearing a cowboy hat and a flannel shirt. But when he puts on the helmet over that blond goatee, the foundation for the above accolades is laid.

The former walk-on has become an all-conference selection, a full-scholarship player, and just recently, a team captain.

Truth is, Ripley nearly had his education paid for a few years ago, though not through football.

Kane Ioane, a former Bobcat and current assistant coach, told a story of when Ripley was casually walking through Brick Breeden Fieldhouse while the MSU cheerleading team was working out. A member of the team asked Ripley if could help with some stunts, and naturally, he obliged.

The stint went so well, Ioane says, Ripley would have been offered a cheerleading scholarship if one were available.

But Ripley stuck with football; he always wanted to play for the school both his parents and his two older sisters attended. And he became known more for playing special teams and linebacker. Where does he find the time for all that volunteer work? Ripley's mother, Susie, helped with that one.

"My mom always says, ‘there's one thing God gave an equal amount to for everybody, and that's 24 hours in a day. How you manage that time is up to you.'"

Ripley's No. 59 is as popular with kids as anyone wearing blue and gold. And giving back goes with the threads.

"You're given this opportunity and status as a football player, it would be a shame to abuse it," he said. "There will be a day where I take this jersey off, I'm just another guy. Nobody will know me from Adam, probably."

Probably not.

Ripley's work in the community landed him a nomination for the 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, one of the most prestigious off-field honors in college football. Previous members include Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow.

It's safe to say Ripley's blur of a life has rubbed off.

"It's an inspiration for the guys on the team and myself," said Ioane, MSU's linebackers coach. "To see a guy who works as hard as he does and be as goal-oriented and determined, it makes me want to do everything I can to help him succeed. Because I'd be letting him down if I wasn't working as hard as he was."

Added fellow linebacker Clay Bignell: "I'm more of a vocal leader on game day. He's more of a leader all the time."

Known most for his play on special teams, Ripley is usually the first player to reach an opposing kick returner. He scored his first college touchdown last season against Portland State after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone.

Ripley will see more time at linebacker this fall, his final one on the field. And when he's not on the field or volunteering or studying, he'll be back at the dorm - a place few senior football players reside - living with childhood friend and current Bobcat teammate Chase Young, a redshirt freshman from Augusta.

"It's a great place to help out, when kids are new and miss home," Ripley says.

The animal science major has no plans for his post-football life. For now, he's using his 24 hours wisely.

"Not everyone's going to think it's real cool when an older kid moves back into the dorms, but I've been pleasantly surprised with the amount of respect the younger kids have shown," Ripley said. "When you're young, you hope that you have that, so when you're older, why not be able to provide that?"

Linebackers

Projected starters: MLB Clay Bignell (6-2, 236 JR); WLB Jody Owens (6-1, 214 SO); SLB Aleksei Grosulak (5-10, 215 RS FR).

Returning letterman: Tanner Ripley (5-10, 216 SR).

Could surprise: Junior college transfer Roger Trammell did not participate in spring drills, but will back up Grosulak.

Strengths: Production. Bignell tied for the team lead in tackles last year despite missing the Montana game and Owens was named all-Big Sky honorable mention.

Weaknesses: One injury could cause problems for this young unit. There are currently just five linebackers in the rotation. All other LBs are freshmen.

Quoting a coach: "We came into this season as a little bit of a question mark; I guess you could say we're young, a little inexperienced (with) not a lot of depth," said linebackers coach Kane Ioane. "But to me, there is no question. We have a group that's going to prove to a lot of people that this is a very strong linebacking corps."

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